Collection of Tattoo Flash and Artwork

The Providence Public Library’s Tattoo Flash and Artwork Collection incorporates materials from various acquisitions and purchases related to the art, history, and culture of tattooing, as well as materials on the tattoo industry. The Tattoo Flash and Artwork Collection includes artwork created by tattoo artists typically for display on the walls of tattoo shops or studios. Tattoo flash is defined as a sheet of smaller individual hand drawn images and designs created for the purpose of giving customers ideas for tattoos. These displays may then be copied, mass produced, and sold to other tattoo artists and shops. An individual may choose a design from one of these sheets of different designs (flash) to be tattooed on their body. Most traditional tattoo flash was designed for rapid tattooing and used in "street shops," which are tattoo shops that handle a large volume of generic tattoos for walk-in customers. It is customary for contemporary tattoo shops to decorate their walls with framed sheets of flash. Hand drawn, local flash has largely been replaced in the 21st century by professional “flash artists” who produce and copyright prints of designs for sale at tattoo conventions or online.